INBOX

FOR SEPT. 28, 2015

Reading Alexander Wolff's special report on abusive coaching, I wondered if the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team would have won gold were it not for the late Herb Brooks, a famously strict disciplinarian. I dare one of the psychology experts to tell a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger or Marine who survived basic training that "abusive" coaching tactics don't work.

John L. Byrwa, Winder, Ga.

As a former college athlete and mother of high school and college athletes, I know firsthand the effect a coach can have on his or her players. Granted the latitude to mistreat students that no other school employee would be afforded, coaches can damage our sons and daughters in ways that may take years to heal.

Deborah Wentworth, Clemmons, N.C.

Regarding Andy Benoit's column on NFL kicking, I've always thought that having the hash marks aligned with the uprights is like giving a pro golfer two parallel lines to the edge of the cup. Rather than narrowing the goalposts, how about widening the hash marks?

Ron Beilke, Indianapolis

COVER

No fairy dust was needed for Ole Miss's win over Alabama? A ricochet-off-a-helmet touchdown pass and two Crimson Tide fumbles inside their own 20? Heck, Tinker Bell rode the bus over from Oxford.

Brannon Jeffrey Buck

Birmingham

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SCORECARD

The USFL lost nearly $200 million, and yet Donald Trump claims, "We were killing the NFL." He reminds me of another supposedly great businessman, P.T. Barnum.

D. Scott Cunningham

Rio Rancho, N.M.

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LETTERS

I am dismayed by your negative, one-sided view of the Patriots. Why don't you investigate what the NFL is doing about measuring football pressure this year, since it is apparently such a big deal?

Larry Travers

Forestdale, Mass.

No doubt Carlos Correa's natural gifts and fierce work ethic helped develop his prodigious talent. However, I would argue that rather than coming "from nothing," the Astros' rookie shortstop had all the ingredients for success: a loving family and a father's unshakable faith in his son's capabilities.

Larry A. Fish

Springfield, Ohio

CORRECTION:

In "Imitation Game" in the Oct. 5 issue we incorrectly identified the photograph of Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask and the species of wasp named after him (Thaumatodryinus tuukkaraski). SI regrets the error.

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KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES (COVER)

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JOHN WILLIAMSON/MLB PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES (CORREA)

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MICHAEL DEMOCKER/TIMES-PICAYUNE/LANDOV (KICKER)

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LANE STEWART FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (TRUMP)

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